BISA indaba on this weekend
The Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) wills this weekend host its electoral Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Palapye.
The eagerly anticipated indaba is expected to quell infighting that has been plaguing the association for the past few months. Nevertheless, most of resolutions taken in Palapye are expected to either unite or further divide the multisport school association.
The most intriguing contest will be that of BISA president pitting the incumbent Joshua Gaotlhobogwe against Eagile Molelo and Montlenyane Radihepi. Following rigorous campaigns on all fronts, the three men will leave it up to BISA affiliates to decide. All three sports administrators they have served BISA in different levels.
After leading the association for four years, Gaotlhobogwe is confident of steering BISA to the next level.
“When I came into office as president, we had a strategic plan.I can confidently confirm that we have been working effortlessly to achieve our targets and given a chance, I can push for greater things,” said Gaotlhobogwe in an interview with BG Sport this week.
Gaotlhobogwe said his main interest would be empowering the girl child, adding that he will be advocating for women to occupy positions within the executive. “The committee is currently operating without a woman but we need them to mother our children.”
As far as sport development is concerned, Gaotlhobogwe said they have managed to unearth the world-class talent including the likes of 400m runners Baboluki Thebe and Karabo Sibanda.
However, Gaotlhobogwe has big challengers in outgoing BISA Vice President -Technical Radihepi. Gaotlhobogwe’s deputy will be fancying his chances to take over the association.
Nevertheless, the presidential rivals have denied any bad blood between them. Some of Radihepi’s priority areas if voted into power will be the careful handling of financial resources. “This will include budgeting and prioritizing the use of money received from Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) and the Ministry of Basic Education.”
He will also call for increased private schools participation in BISA activities. Radihepi said he is keen on making BISA programs more attractive to private schools. Moreover, the ambitious Radihepi said he would establish close ties with tertiary institutions. All that he explained will assist them in being able to benefit from their (Private and tertiary institutions) facilities.
Further outlaying his vision, Radihepi wants different zones to be funded. “BISA Zones need to be funded to at least be able to foot bills such as communication and accommodation expenses while doping BISA assignments.
The third man in the race in Molelo who is the currently serving as the COSASSA Vice President -Marketing. By all means, Molelo comes into the race as the proverbial underdog having lost to Gaotlhobogwe in the 2013 election.
A confident Molelo believes he can add value to the association, adding that the BISA family have shown keen interest in his capabilities as a leader. “The people have spoken, they want credibility to be restored at BISA, and I intend to do exactly that,” he said.
Molelo defined himself as a team leader hence the reason why he has a specific team of nominees that he specifically wants to work with if put into power. “I strive to finding common ground with colleagues,” he said. The team has him as president, Joy Kenosi as VP Technical, Herald Mosomane for Secretary General, Boago Obonetse as the Vice Secretary General, Mmoloki Gaobone, for Publicity and Daniel Tshume as treasurer.
In addition, Molelo said they want to re- engineer BISA and put in places processes and systems for continuous improvement.
We also want to deal away with mass participation utilise the services of former athletes, professional sports people in schools and veteran sports heads. We need their experience and expertise, we also have physical education teachers at our disposal.”
